Dr. Kara Powell says she enjoys the change of lifestyle that has come with practicing medicine in a smaller community.

EZRA BLACK

Pass Herald Reporter

Two years ago, Dr. Kara Powell visited the Crowsnest Pass.
After observing its natural beauty and meeting its friendly people, she knew she’d found the place to settle down and raise a family.
Powell has been practicing at the Crowsnest Pass Mountain Side Medical Clinic since March along with newcomer Dr. Ian Sudbury and Dr. Matthew Fisher.
Powell, who went to medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, worked and trained as a family doctor in Ottawa but for the past six years she’s been practicing medicine in different rural areas.
Before coming to the Pass she spent a year traveling and working in Australia.
She says she enjoys the change of lifestyle practicing medicine in a smaller community compared to a larger centre where she doesn’t get to form relationships with her patients and the pace is hurried.
“I find people pretty healthy here compared to where I’ve worked in the past,” said Powell. “There are some mental health issues but I don’t know if that’s different to anywhere else.”

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Powell says that she’ll work with her patients if they desire to incorporate alternative medicine into their treatments, “We try to work with people to combine traditional and western medicine,” she says but offers the following advice on maintaining overall health.
“Try to keep active and eat well. Get your preventative checkups,” she says, “It’s easier to prevent things than to treat them.”
Powell does a lot of hiking and skiing. She is currently raising her one-year old daughter and her husband is completing a graduate degree in counseling psychology.
According to their website, the Crowsnest Pass Mountainside Medical Clinic are currently accepting new patients.
The clinic offers general medical care for patients of all ages, minor surgical procedures, complete obstetrical care, medical evaluations and palliative care. They also do house calls for patients unable to visit the clinic.